2014 Vizio BCS National Championship Game Preview

Match-Up: #1 Florida State vs. #2 Auburn
Date/Time: January 6, 2014/7:30pm CT
Location: Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl)
Bowl Life: 8 years (2006)
Line: Florida State by 8 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 BCS National Championship Game: Alabama 42, Notre Dame 14


Breaking Down the Teams:
Florida State Seminoles-
2013 Record: 13-0 (8-0 ACC)
School Bowl Record: 25-14-2
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Orange Bowl (Florida State 31, Northern Illinois 10)
BCS National Championship Game Appearances: 1-2*

Auburn Tigers-
2013 Record: 12-1 (7-1 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 22-13-2
Last Bowl Game: 2011 Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Auburn 43, Virginia 24)
BCS National Championship Game Appearances: 1-0 (Last: 2011)

Game Notes: The final BCS National Championship Game features Florida State, who appeared in the first three, and Auburn, who is making its second appearance in the past four years.  The State of Alabama has won the past four BCS National Championships and the SEC has won the past seven...Heisman trophy winners are 2-8 in the year's BCS National Championship, but have won the past two.

Prediction: Auburn

*Prior to the 2007 Bowl Season, the BCS National Championship Game was not an independent entity, so teams played for a dual bowl championship and national championship at the four rotating BCS bowls.

2014 GoDaddy Bowl Preview

Match-Up: Arkansas State vs. Ball State
Date/Time: January 5, 2014/8pm CT
Location: Mobile, AL (Ladd Peebles Stadium)
Bowl Life: 15 years (1999)
Line: Ball State by 7 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl: Arkansas State 17, Kent State 13

Breaking Down the Teams:
Arkansas State Red Wolves-
2013 Record: 7-5 (5-2 Sun Belt)
School Bowl Record: 5-5
Last Bowl Game: 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl (Arkansas State 17, Kent State 13)
GoDaddy.com Bowl Appearances: 1-1 (Last: 2013)

Ball State Cardinals-
2013 Record: 10-2 (7-1 MAC)
School Bowl Record: 0-6
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl (Central Florida 38, Ball State 17)
GoDaddy.com Bowl Appearances: 0-1 (Last: 2009)

Game Notes: The Red Wolves are making their third consecutive appearance at the GoDaddy Bowl. The Cardinals are looking for their first bowl win after improving in the win column for the fifth consecutive season.

Prediction: Ball State

2014 BBVA Compass Bowl Preview

Match-Up: Vanderbilt vs. Houston
Date/Time: January 4, 2014/Noon CT
Location: Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)
Bowl Life: 8 years (2006)
Line: Vanderbilt by 2 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 BBVA Compass Bowl: Ole Miss 38, Pittsburgh 17



Breaking Down the Teams:
Vanderbilt Commodores-
2013 Record: 8-4 (4-4 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 3-2-1
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Music City Bowl (Vanderbilt 38, North Carolina State 24)
BBVA Compass Bowl Appearances: None

Houston Cougars-
2013 Record: 8-4 (5-3 American)
School Bowl Record: 9-11-1
Last Bowl Game: 2012 TicketCity Bowl (Houston 30, Penn State 14)
BBVA Compass Bowl Appearances: None

Game Notes: The first appearance in the BBVA Compass Bowl for both teams.  The Commodores are making their third consecutive bowl appearance, the longest streak in program history.  The Cougars, on the other hand, were bowl eligible in their inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference after missing two of the past three postseasons.

Prediction: Vanderbilt

2014 Discover Orange Bowl Preview

Match-Up: #12 Clemson vs. #7 Ohio State
Date/Time: January 3, 2014/7:30pm CT
Location: Miami Gardens, FL (Sun Life Stadium)
Bowl Life: 80 years (1935)
Line: Ohio State by 2 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 Orange Bowl: Florida State 31, Northern Illinois 10



Breaking Down the Teams:
Clemson Tigers-
2013 Record: 10-2 (7-1 ACC)
School Bowl Record: 17-18
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Clemson 25, LSU 24)
Orange Bowl Appearances: 2-2 (Last: 2012)

Ohio State Buckeyes-
2013 Record: 12-1 (8-0 Big Ten)
School Bowl Record: 19-23
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Gator Bowl (Florida 24, Ohio State 17)
Orange Bowl Appearances: 1-0 (Last: 1977)

Game Notes: The Buckeyes were 24-1 the past two seasons, but are finally bowl eligible after a two-year postseason ban due to NCAA sanctions.  The Tigers experienced a third consecutive 10 win season under coach Dabo Swinney, but lost to West Virginia 70-33 in their most recent trip to the Orange Bowl in 2012.

Prediction: Ohio State

2014 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Preview

Match-Up: #13 Oklahoma State vs. #8 Missouri
Date/Time: January 3, 2013/6:30pm CT
Location: Arlington, TX (Cowboys Stadium)
Bowl Life: 78 years (1937)
Line: Missouri by 1
National TV: Fox (HD)
2013 Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M 41, Oklahoma 13


Breaking Down the Teams:
Oklahoma State Cowboys-
2013 Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)
School Bowl Record: 15-8
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl (Oklahoma State 58, Purdue 14)
Cotton Bowl Appearances: 1-2 (Last: 2010)

Missouri Tigers-
2013 Record: 11-2 (7-1 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 13-16
Last Bowl Game: 2011 Independence Bowl (Missouri 41, North Carolina 24)
Cotton Bowl Appearances: 1-1 (Last: 2008)

Game Notes: The Cotton Bowl reunites two programs who shared a conference for decades.  Both the Cowboys and Tigers fell short of conference championships during Championship Saturday, but were impressive throughout the season. The Tigers made an unexpected trip to the SEC Championship Game after a dismal inaugural season in 2012, while the Cowboys beat three ranked teams in November (Baylor, Texas and Texas Tech).

Prediction: Missouri

2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl Preview

Match-Up: #11 Oklahoma vs. #3 Alabama
Date/Time: January 2, 2014/7:30pm CT
Location: New Orleans, LA (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
Bowl Life: 80 years (1935)
Line: Alabama by 15
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 Sugar Bowl: Louisville 33, Florida 23

Breaking Down the Teams:
Oklahoma Sooners-
2013 Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)
School Bowl Record: 27-18-1
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Sugar Bowl (Texas A&M 41, Oklahoma 13)
Sugar Bowl Appearances: 4-2 (Last: 2004)

Alabama Crimson Tide-
2013 Record: 11-1 (7-1 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 35-22-3
Last Bowl Game: 2013 BCS National Championship Game (Alabama 42, Notre Dame 14)
Sugar Bowl Appearances: 8-5 (Last: 2009)

Game Notes: Alabama came oh-so-close to a fourth trip to the BCS National Championship Game in the past five years, but their perfect season was ended on a miraculous, last second play by Auburn in the season finale.  Oklahoma received a surprise at-large selection over #10 Oregon and has nothing to lose.

Prediction: Alabama

2014 Fiesta Bowl Preview

Match-Up: #15 Central Florida vs. #6 Baylor
Date/Time: January 1, 2014/7:30pm CT
Location: Glendale, AZ (University of Phoenix Stadium)
Bowl Life: 43 years (1971)
Line: Baylor by 16 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 Fiesta Bowl: Oregon 35, Kansas State 17



Breaking Down the Teams:
Central Florida Knights-
2013 Record: 11-1 (8-0 American)
School Bowl Record: 2-3
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl (Central Florida 38, Ball State 17)
Fiesta Bowl Appearances: None

Baylor Bears-
2013 Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big 12)
School Bowl Record: 10-9
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Holiday Bowl (Baylor 49, UCLA 26)
Fiesta Bowl Appearances: None

Game Notes: The Fiesta Bowl features a matchup that no one expected when the season began.  I'm expecting a memorable BCS bowl debut for both teams tonight.

Prediction: Baylor

2014 Rose Bowl Preview

Match-Up: #5 Stanford vs. #4 Michigan State
Date/Time: January 1, 2014/4pm CT
Location: Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl)
Bowl Life: 100 years (1902)
Line: Stanford by 4 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 Rose Bowl: Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14




Breaking Down the Teams:
Stanford Cardinal-
2013 Record: 11-2 (7-2 Pac-12)
School Bowl Record: 11-12-1
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Rose Bowl (Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14)
Rose Bowl Game Appearances: 6-6-1 (Last: 2013)

Michigan State Spartans-
2013 Record: 12-1 (8-0 Big Ten)
School Bowl Record: 9-14
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (Michigan State 17, TCU 16)
Rose Bowl Game Appearances: 3-1 (Last: 1988)

Game Notes: The Spartans are riding high after an impressive 12-1 campaign that included upsetting the then-#2 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game.  The Cardinal is making its third consecutive BCS bowl appearance and second consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl.

Prediction: Michigan State

2014 Capital One Bowl Preview

Match-Up: #19 Wisconsin vs. #9 South Carolina
Date/Time: January 1, 2014/Noon CT
Location: Orlando, FL (Citrus Bowl)
Bowl Life: 68 years (1947)
Line: Wisconsin by 1
National TV: ABC (HD)
2013 Capital One Bowl: Georgia 45, Nebraska 31



Breaking Down the Teams:
Wisconsin Badgers-
2013 Record: 9-3 (6-2 Big Ten)
School Bowl Record: 11-13
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Rose Bowl (Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14)
Capital One Bowl Appearances: 2-0 (Last: 2007)

South Carolina Gamecocks-
2013 Record: 10-2 (6-2 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 6-12
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Outback Bowl (South Carolina 33, Michigan 28)
Capital One Bowl Appearances: 1-1 (Last: 2012)

Game Notes: The Badgers missed out on a fourth consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl, while the Gamecocks are making their second trip to the Outback Bowl in three years.

Prediction: Wisconsin

2014 Outback Bowl Preview

Match-Up: Iowa vs. #16 LSU
Date/Time: January 1, 2014/Noon CT
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Bowl Life: 28 years (1986)
Line: LSU by 7 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2013 Outback Bowl: South Carolina 33, Michigan 28

Breaking Down the Teams:
Iowa Hawkeyes-
2013 Record: 8-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
School Bowl Record: 14-11-1
Last Bowl Game: 2011 Insight Bowl (Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14)
Outback Bowl Appearances: 2-1 (Last: 2009)

LSU Tigers-
2013 Record: 9-3 (5-3 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 23-21-1
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Clemson 25, LSU 24)
Outback Bowl Appearances: None

Game Notes: The Hawkeyes and Tigers meet for a rematch of the 2005 Capital One Bowl.

Prediction: LSU

2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl Preview

Match-Up: UNLV vs. North Texas
Date/Time: January 1, 2014/11am CT
Location: Dallas, TX (Cotton Bowl)
Bowl Life: 4 years (2011)
Line: North Texas by 6 1/2
National TV: ESPNU (HD)
2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl: Oklahoma State 58, Purdue 14


Breaking Down the Teams:
UNLV Rebels-
2013 Record: 7-5 (5-3 MWC)
School Bowl Record: 3-0
Last Bowl Game: 2000 Las Vegas Bowl (UNLV 31, Arkansas 14)
Heart of Dallas Bowl Appearances: None

North Texas Mean Green-
2013 Record: 8-4 (6-2 C-USA)
School Bowl Record: 2-5
Last Bowl Game: 2004 New Orleans Bowl (Southern Mississippi 31, North Texas 10)
Heart of Dallas Bowl Appearances: None

Game Notes: The Mean Green and Rebels have experienced a bowl drought and will appear at the Heart of Dallas Bowl for the first time.

Prediction: North Texas

2014 TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl Preview

Match-Up: Nebraska vs. #22 Georgia
Date/Time: January 1, 2014/11am CT
Location: Jacksonville, FL (EverBank Field)
Bowl Life: 69 years (1946)
Line: Georgia by 9
National TV: ESPN2 (HD)
2013 Gator Bowl: Northwestern 34, Mississippi State 20



Breaking Down the Teams:
Nebraska Cornhuskers-
2013 Record: 8-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
School Bowl Record: 24-25
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Outback Bowl (Georgia 45, Nebraska 31)
Gator Bowl Appearances: 1-0 (Last: 2011)

Georgia Bulldogs-
2013 Record: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)
School Bowl Record: 27-18-3
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Outback Bowl (Georgia 45, Nebraska 31)
Gator Bowl Appearances: 2-0-1 (Last: 1989)

Game Notes: This is a rematch of the 2013 Outback Bowl, but Georgia will be playing without Senior Quarterback Aaron Murray due to injury.

Prediction: Nebraska